Age related Macular Degeneration is the most common eye disease

What is Macular Degeneration?

Macular Degeneration is a medical condition often associated
with aging (also referred to as “age-related Macular
Degeneration”) that results in a loss of vision in the centre of your
visual field. Central vision helps us to see objects clearly and perform tasks
such as reading and driving.

Macular Degeneration is a progressive disease thought to be
caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It can occur in
‘dry’ and ‘wet’ forms and is the major cause of visual impairment amongst adults
from the age of 50.

Discover our
visual
aids for Macular Degeneration.

Dry Macular Degeneration

Dry Macular Degeneration is caused when the light-sensitive cells in the
central part of your vision slowly break down. The result is that you will
experience gradually blurring vision (see the image above). It may start with
one or two spots, which gradually expand into larger areas, causing loss of
vision.

The dry form of Macular Degeneration can be divided into three distinct
stages:

1. Early Macular Degeneration: causes small yellow spots under your retina (the
   lightsensitive tissue lining the inner surface of your eye). In this stage you
   will rarely experience symptoms or loss of vision.
2. Intermediate Macular Degeneration: the yellow spots under your retina grow
   larger and expand, causing blurred spots in the centre of your vision. In this
   stage you may need more light to read or perform other tasks.
3. Advanced Macular Degeneration: in addition to yellow spots, the
   light-sensitive cells in your central retinal area break down, causing a large
   blurred spot in the centre of your vision. This blurred spot may grow larger and
   darker over time. In this stage, you will experience difficulty reading and
   recognizing faces, unless these are very close to your eyes.

Normal vision vs. Macular Degeneration in an early stage

Normal vision vs. Macular Degeneration in an advanced stage 

Wet Macular Degeneration

Approximately 10-15% of people with Macular Degeneration experience the ‘wet’
form. It is caused by leaking of blood and fluid from your blood vessels,
located behind your retina. These fluids cause the macula (the central part of
your visual field) to be raised from its normal place, causing rapid damage to
your vision. One of the earliest symptoms you may experience is that straight
lines appear wavy.

What are the symptoms of Macular Degeneration

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration include:

• blurred vision
• shadows or missing areas of vision
• distorted vision
• trouble discerning colours
• slow recovery of visual function after exposure to bright light
• a loss in contrast sensitivity

What to expect from Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration damages the central vision of your eye,
which is responsible for approximately 35% of your visual field. You may
experience difficulty recognizing faces, reading and driving. Your peripheral
vision is not damaged by Macular Degeneration, so you can still lead an
independent life.

Helpful Tips

Even if your eye care professional says, “Nothing more can be done for your
vision,” ask how vision rehabilitation can help you make the most of your
remaining vision through orientation and mobility training, and use of vision
aids. Additional tips:

• Get regular comprehensive eye examinations from your doctor
• Eat a healthy diet high in green leafy vegetables, fish, fruit, whole grains
  and foods with vitamin D
• Don’t smoke
• Exercise regularly
• Use task-oriented lighting when preforming daily activities
• See beyond your diagnosis – learn what Optelec vision aids can help!

More information about Macular Degeneration

There is extensive information available about Macular
Degeneration. The information included is intended to inform you about
the basics of this eye condition, and is not intended as a replacement for
information from your physician or eye specialist. Information regarding
assistive devices that can help you if you have been diagnosed
with Macular Degeneration is included. Our recommendations can be found under
Tools
and
Resources.

Living with Macular Degeneration

Hearing that your sight is affected by Macular Degeneration
may change your world, but be comforted by the knowledge that you are
not alone. There are many people in your situation, some that have also just
been diagnosed and some that have been living with Macular Degeneration for
years. Below are two Optelec customers who have shared their story on how they
coped with Macular Degeneration and today are able to lead a productive and
independent lifestyle.

Testimonial

As
an avid fan of reading, Adeline used to grow tired of watching the television
every day for her news and entertainment. She yearned to spend her days in her
Connecticut home reading a good book and delving into the newspaper instead. Her
Macular Degeneration made reading extremely difficult until she was introduced
to the
Optelec
ClearView+ through her local Authorized Dealer. Now she can’t imagine how
anyone with low vision gets along without it.

“I feel normal because I can read the newspaper, I can read a book, I can
read documents, I can read my checkbook balances. I can read the active
ingredients in my medicine bottle without any difficulty. I think this machine
is a godsend. Otherwise I would not know what is going on in my community, in my
state or nation. It does get tiresome to watch TV. I like to read so it has been
a great pleasure to me.”

Adeline now participates actively in her reading group and highly recommends
the ClearView+ to anyone living with low vision.

Adeline D, Connecticut

Testimonial

You
don’t have to be old to develop Macular Degeneration. Amy Bower, PhD, found that
out when she was 24 and attending graduate school at the University of Rhode
Island. At that point in time, Bower was already committed to a career in
oceanography. “At first I lost my night vision, but soon I started losing my
central vision as well,” says Bower, now 41. While continuing her studies, she
initially relied on a variety of vision aids, including eyeglasses with built-in
magnifiers. But even as she began her position as a research scientist in
physical oceanography at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Bower’s
vision deteriorated.

She turned to the Optelec ClearView+ desktop video magnifier – a new product
at the time. She now has one for work and one for use at home. “My work involves
reading, analyzing graphics and publishing in professional journals,” says
Bower, who is now tenured and is the senior female scientist in physical
oceanography, a field concerned with the ocean’s role in climate as well as the
physics of ocean currents. Her work also includes travel for weeks at a time to
places like the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic.

“We have lab benches and desks on board, and I take my ClearView unit along,”
says Bower, whose intelligence and commitment to her chosen field has earned the
respect of her colleagues. Could she accomplish her work without the ClearView
unit? “I suppose I could hire readers, but a lot of what I do involves reading
graphics, which you have to analyze yourself,” she notes. “Besides, I value my
independence.”

Amy Bower, Massachusetts

Many people with Macular Degeneration continue to do the
activities they always did. You may learn to use your peripheral vision more
efficiently and will learn to rely on your other senses to help you through the
day.

There is currently no cure for Macular Degeneration. For Dry Macular
Degeneration there are certain treatments that can help slow down the
progression. Discuss this with your eye care professional to see what your
options are.

If you experience vision loss as a result of Macular
Degeneration, there are
low
vision devices that can assist you with those tasks that you have
difficulty with. These devices will assist you with various visual tasks and
will help you in continuing to lead an independent and full life.

Macular Degeneration (Yellow Spot) | Dünyagöz Hospitals

Yellow spot disease (macular degeneration) is a retinal disease that affects

central vision. It is quite common after the age of 55 and may lead to loss of vision in the event of progression.

Who does yellow spot disease affect?

• People older than 55 years of age

• Those with hereditary risk

• Smokers

Risk Factors

The main risk factors for age-related yellow spot disease include the person’s age and hereditary characteristics. Other risk factors are hypertension, smoking, nutrition, elevated lipid-cholesterol levels, long-term exposure to sunlight and being overweight.

Symptoms of the Disease

• Loss of vision

• Wavy or broken view of objects/lines

• Shadows in front of the eye

• Impaired visual quality

• Trouble discerning colors

Age-related and hereditary factors are impossible to eliminate. However, other risk factors can be controlled. If there is hypertension, it can be controlled. If smoking, the patient should quit. Filter sunglasses should be worn for sun protection. A Mediterranean diet is recommended. It is recommended to avoid butter, red meat and cholesterol-containing food.

How many types of yellow spot disease are there and what are their results?

There are two types of yellow spot disease; dry and wet. The dry type accounts for 90% and the wet type accounts for 10% of all cases. However, early diagnosis is more important in the wet type since it leads to loss of vision. Progressing more rapidly than the dry type, this disease leads to sudden loss of vision accompanied by impaired color vision and a loss in contrast sensitivity, and to blindness because of bleeding in the new vessels that are formed in the retina and macula over time.

Treatment of Yellow Spot Disease

Preventive treatment is given in the dry type of yellow spot disease; intraocular injection and photodynamic treatment is administered in the wet type. Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, lutein and zinc are used in preventive therapy. Intraocular injections are made by numbing the eye with an eye drop. The patient feels no pain during this procedure. In photodynamic therapy, a drug called verteporfin is first administered intravenously in a special combination and a low power laser is then applied.

Drug Injection in the Treatment of Yellow Spot Disease

A kind of protein (anti-VEGF antibody) is used for intraocular injection therapy. FDA-approved anti-VEGF drugs are injected into the eye with a needle for treatment of the wet type of yellow spot disease, which occurs in one in every three people aged 75-85 years. The anti-VEGF drug used during the treatment inhibits the protein which is released by the eye cells behind the eye in the event of disease and forms new vessels, thus preventing loss of vision. Injected into the eye at 4-6 week intervals, the drug stops the development of new vessels in the yellow spot and improves the patient’s complaints significantly. The injection is made at least 3 times but some patients require more. Injection intervals vary between 4-6 weeks depending on the patient’s response to therapy.

If untreated, yellow spot disease results in 95% loss of vision and ultimately in total loss of vision. Vision is reduced to a level which is legally accepted as blindness and patients become unable to see what they are looking at. For instance, the patient cannot see the face of the person in front of them, but can see their

arm or leg. These patients usually cannot leave their house alone; they can do their house chores by themselves but need the help of others in many tasks. Since they can’t see, they can’t read, write, watch TV or drive.

Amsler Grid Test in Yellow Spot Disease

This test is not the equivalent of a routine eye exam. However, it is a graph that you can self-administer to identify the early symptoms of yellow spot disease. Experts recommend that everyone older than 40 years of age take this test.

GRAPH

Method of Administering the Amsler Grid Test

• Wear your eyeglasses or contact lenses if you use a pair.

• In a well-lit room, hold the above graph approximately 30-40 cm away from your face in a fixed way.

• Cover one eye with your hand and focus on the dot in the middle. You should be able to see all 4 corners of the large square in the

graph.

• Test your other eye in the same way.

• You could have symptoms of yellow spot disease if the lines appear wavy, broken or blurry or if you can’t see the corners.

In that case, you should see an ophthalmologist specialized in retinal diseases as soon as possible.

Are You Seeing Spots?

Sunday, April 15th, 2018, 5:08 am

We have all had it happen at one time or another. We suddenly see colorful dots in our vision move in odd directions as soon as we try to look at them. What are these strange little spots, and do we need to schedule an eye exam?

Flashes and Floaters

People may experience two types of anomalies in their field of vision — flashes and floaters. Both of these strange visual experiences are caused by the vitreous inside your eye. The vitreous is a gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eyeball. It is found in the cavity that sits behind your cornea, iris, pupil, and lens. The area behind the vitreous is where you find the retina, macula and optic nerve.

Why Do We Need the Vitreous?

Without the vitreous, our eyes would not hold a spherical shape that is important for proper eyesight. The vitreous also helps to keep your retina in an optimal position at the back of the eyeball.

How Does the Vitreous Cause Flashes and Floaters?

Mixed within the gel of the vitreous is a sophisticated network of fibers that connect it to the retina. Flashes occur when the vitreous either rubs directly against the retina or when the vitreous pulls away from the retina. Floaters, on the other hand, are caused by particulates that are floating inside the vitreous gel. The particulates are most often dead cells or small clumps of gel that are free floating.

Are Flashes and Floaters What Happen When I Look at a Bright Light?

The colored streaks that you see after accidentally looking at the sun or other bright light source are not the same as flashes and floaters. This effect happens when the photosensitive cells of your retina are overwhelmed by the intense light coming through the front of the eye.

Do I Need Treatment for Flashes and Floaters?

Floaters do not necessarily mean that something is wrong with your eyes, yet to be on the safe side, we recommend that you schedule an eye exam if you experience flashes and floaters.

Do You See Flashes and Floaters? Contact Marion Eye Center & Optical.

To schedule an eye exam or learn about LASIK vision correction, pediatric eye care, and our other services, contact Marion Eye Center & Optical to schedule an appointment. You can contact us directly at (800) 344-758 to schedule an appointment at one of our Illinois locations in Anna, Benton, Carbondale, Carlyle, Carmi, Carterville, Centralia, Chester, Christopher, DuQuoin, Effingham, Eldorado, Fairfield, Flora, Harrisburg, Herrin, Marion, McLeansboro, Mt. Vernon, Murphysboro, Nashville, Olney, Pinckneyville, Salem, Sparta, Steeleville, Vandalia, Vienna and West Frankfort. To schedule an appointment at our offices in Missouri, including Cape Girardeau, Charleston, Dexter, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, contact us at (877) 269-4545.

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Category: Flashes and Floaters

Flashes of Light – American Academy of Ophthalmology

Flashes of light are pinpricks or spots of light that you see in your field of vision. People often say seeing flashes of light is like seeing “shooting stars” or “lightning streaks.” Flashes of light in your vision come from inside your eye. They are not caused by lights or anything else outside of your body. 

Most flashes happen when the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks or changes, pulling on the retina (the light sensitive lining of the eye). Flashes of light can also happen if you’re hit in the eye or rub your eyes too hard. In both cases, the flashes are caused by physical force on the retina.

Flashes of light usually appear and then fade quickly. In contrast, bright spots, lines or patches that appear and stay in place for a period of time may be migraine aura or a symptom of another condition. Migraine aura may look like shimmering jagged lines or appear wavy, like heat waves. Migraine aura can appear even if you do not get any headache.

Light rays that you may see around lamps, headlights or streetlights may be a symptom of cataract or an effect from an intraocular lens (IOL) or refractive surgery.

Many people will see occasional flashes of light, especially as they age. These occasional flashes are usually harmless, but you should discuss them with your ophthalmologist during an eye exam. However, if you suddenly start seeing repeated flashes of light, this could be a serious problem, especially if you also have cloudy floaters or vision changes.

Call your doctor right away if:

• You suddenly start seeing flashes when you haven’t before.
• You have a sudden increase in flashes of light.
• You see flashes of light along with cloudiness or dark spots in your vision.
• You see a dark area or ‘curtain’ across your vision.
• You see flashes of light after being hit in the eye or face.

Suddenly seeing new floaters and flashes could mean your retina has torn or detached. This is a very serious condition that your ophthalmologist must treat quickly to prevent blindness.

There is no treatment for occasional flashes of light caused by vitreous changes from aging. Occasional flashes do not cause any damage and most people get used to them after a little while. If you’re seeing a lot of flashes of light, treatment of the underlying condition will usually reduce the number of flashes you see.

These conditions can cause flashes of light:

Other symptoms that may seem like flashes of light include:

For more information, see also: Floaters and flashes

Yellow Spot Disease (Macular Degeneration)

Age-related macular degeneration known as ‘yellow spot disease’ in the community; It is an eye disease that causes severe loss of central (central) vision. Central vision directly helps the person to see the front. For example, reading, watching television.

If central vision deteriorates, the following symptoms occur:

* Difficulty in reading written and printed texts

* Difficulty recognizing people’s faces

* Colors appear pale

AMD is usually seen in both eyes, but the rate of progression from eye to eye is variable.

What is AMD?

AMD is the center of the eye responsible for central vision called Macula in the region known as the Yellow Dot occurs as a result of not functioning. Although it is not known exactly what caused the deterioration of the yellow spot; aging, smoking, inappropriate diet, and family history of AMD may increase the risk.

AMD does not affect environmental vision, although patients’ central vision is impaired, but their vision is intact, so complete blindness does not occur.

AMD Types

• DRY TYPE AMD: Some minerals and vitamins in the diet due to deficiency of the yellow dots caused by damage to the visual cells and develops as a result of the yellow point of the metabolic residues of visual cells called Druzen accumulate. Dry type is the most common (90%) and less dangerous type of AMD. Vision decreases over the years. However, one in 10 patients with dry AMD develops Wet Type AMD over the years, while wet type AMD is the more severe type that causes loss of central vision.
• AGE TYPE AMD: Wet type Amd is caused by the development of vessels that grow below the yellow dot, leak in time and cause bleeding. This bleeding and leakage in the veins damages the visual cells in the yellow spot, and in time, scar tissue or scar tissue develops at the yellow spot and disrupts the central vision. The wet type is more severe than the dry type and if left untreated, the patient may lose sight in days. Although treated with wet-type intraocular drug injections, a loss of central vision may occur with scarring at the yellow spot over time.

In both types, the patient loses sight of the center. It becomes difficult to read books, distinguish phone numbers or money, recognize the person he is looking at, watch television.

When Should Apply To a Doctor ?

When blurring begins at the center of vision, a doctor should be consulted, especially when straight and uniform lines appear to be curved or broken.

Who is Affected ?

AMD is one of the most important causes of vision loss in the population over 55 years of age. It is generally more common in women. It is more common in Caucasian race than in other ethnic groups. As the name suggests, advanced age is the most important risk factor. It occurs in about one in ten people in the 55-65 age group. It occurs in one out of two people over 85 years of age.

TO REDUCE AMD RISK:

• Smokers should stop smoking
• Alcohol intake should be restricted
• Red meat should be restricted in diet and green leafy vegetables should be weighted and should be fed rich in antioxidant substances,
• Disease should be kept under control in hypertension and diabetic patients,
• weight gain should be avoided.

Are there special glasses for yellow spot disease?

With special glasses called as auxiliary vision instruments, magnifying effect can be created to increase the vision.

These glasses are called telescopic glasses. It functions as a kind of binoculars. With telescopic glasses, it is possible to see the patient far and close. However, it is very difficult for the patients to adapt to these glasses. The vision areas of these glasses are very narrow and the patient sees as if looking through the keyhole. The ratio of patients to adapt to these glasses is 10 percent. Although the central vision is strengthened, it is not possible to move and walk with the Glasses since the peripheral vision is eliminated. However, in the yellow spot disease, the patient cannot see the place where he is looking, but he can see the surrounding area. But when wearing binoculars glasses, environmental vision that makes everyday life easier is eliminated.

Intraocular lenses specific to yellow spot disease?

In some cases of delayed treatment and refractory treatment, loss of central vision is inevitable. Unfortunately, there is no other treatment option for these patients. This is usually a condition that affects both eyes. It is very difficult for the patient to maintain his / her daily life in a situation where both eyes have decreased vision.

These lenses are specially developed for AMD, aiming to increase central vision. At AMD, there is a loss of central vision due to damage to the visual cells in the yellow spot. These lenses are inspired by the Hubble Telescope and are known as telescopic intraocular lenses. The advantage is that there is no deprivation of environmental vision in telescopic glasses. Both the central and environmental vision of the patient increases.

How Do These Lens Work ?

These lenses are inserted into the eye through a very small incision, as in the case of surgery. It enlarges the existing image that enters the eye with a telescopic effect and reflects the image to a healthy area outside the damaged area of ​​the yellow dot with a prismatic effect. In other words, a new yellow spot is created for a patient.

With these lenses, patients regain their ability to drive, recognize people’s faces and read them.

Who are these lenses suitable for?

These lenses can be used in the dry type and stabilized wet type forms of AMD, as well as in some hereditary retinal diseases such as Macular holes, Stargart and Best disease, in high myopia-related macular diseases and in diabetic retinopathies due to diabetes. Some of these lenses can be used in patients who have undergone cataract surgery as well as in patients without cataract surgery. In some patients, yellow spot disease may develop years after cataract surgery. Nowadays, it is possible to increase central vision by placing a second telescopic lens on these patients.

Eye floaters: Treatment and causes

By Marilyn Haddrill; contributions and review by Charles Slonim, MD

Eye floaters are tiny spots in your vision. They are those black spots, specks, rings or “cobwebs” that drift aimlessly around in your field of vision. While annoying, eye floaters — also simply called floaters — are very common and usually aren’t cause for alarm.

Causes

Floaters develop in the clear, gel-like vitreous that fills the back chamber of the eye and is responsible for giving the eye its globe-like shape. For this reason, eye floaters also are called vitreous floaters.

The vitreous is mostly water, but it also contains a protein called collagen. As we age, the vitreous becomes less like a gel and more watery. When this occurs, bits of collagen in the vitreous can clump together and form lint-like structures.

These irregularly shaped clumps of collagen float around in the liquefied vitreous, and can affect light passing through the eye. When they float close to the light-sensitive retina in the back of the eye, they cast shadows on the retina, and these shadows are what we perceive as eye floaters.

When eye floaters are most visible

You may find that you’re most likely to notice vitreous floaters when you gaze at a clear or overcast sky. They often appear in your peripheral vision, which makes it easy to mistake a floater for an insect flying in front of your face.

Another time people notice floaters is when they’re staring at a computer screen that has a white or light-colored background.

Once you start seeing floaters, it can be hard to ignore them, especially if you are stressed or fatigued.

And, because the clumps of collagen that cause floaters are often suspended in the periphery of the vitreous, it can be impossible to look directly at them. When you move your eye to try and see better, the floater moves in the same direction and floats back into your peripheral vision and out of view.

When are eye floaters and flashes a medical emergency?

Noticing a few floaters from time to time is not a cause for concern. However, if you see a shower of floaters and spots, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light, you should seek medical attention immediately from an eye care professional.

The sudden appearance of these symptoms can mean that the vitreous is pulling away from your retina — a condition called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) — or it could mean that the retina itself is becoming dislodged from the back of the eye’s inner lining, which contains blood, nutrients and oxygen vital to healthy function.

As the vitreous gel tugs on the delicate retina, it might cause a small tear or hole in it. When the retina is torn, vitreous can enter the opening and push the retina farther away from the inner lining of the back of the eye, and a retinal detachment can result.

In cases of retinal tear or detachment, treatment must occur as soon as possible so that an eye surgeon can reattach the retina and restore visual function before sight is lost permanently.

A study of 350 patients with PVD published in the journal Ophthalmology found that, of 163 patients who came to the clinic because of symptoms of just one or two floaters (with or without light flashes), a retinal tear developed in 12 of them (7.3%).

Based on this finding, if you suddenly develop large floaters — even if you don’t experience flashes of light — it’s a good idea to see your eye doctor immediately to make sure the floaters are no cause for concern.

What causes vitreous detachment?

As mentioned above, posterior vitreous detachments (PVDs) are common causes of vitreous floaters. Far less commonly, these symptoms can be associated with retinal tears or detachments that may be linked to PVDs.

As the eye develops early in life, the vitreous gel fills the inside of the back of the eye and presses against the retina and attaches to the surface of the retina. Over time, the vitreous becomes more liquefied in the center. This sometimes means that the central, more watery vitreous cannot support the weight of the heavier, more peripheral vitreous gel. The peripheral vitreous gel then collapses into the central, liquefied vitreous, detaching from the retina (like Jell-O separating from the inside of a gelatin mold or bowl).

Eye floaters resulting from a posterior vitreous detachment are then concentrated in the more liquid vitreous found in the interior center of the eye.

It’s estimated that more than half of all people will have a posterior vitreous detachment by age 80. Thankfully, most of these PVDs do not lead to a torn or detached retina.

Light flashes during this process mean that traction is being applied to your retina while the PVD takes place. Once the vitreous finally detaches and pressure on the retina is eased, the light flashes should gradually subside.

What causes eye flashes?

Ordinarily, light entering your eye stimulates the retina. This produces an electrical impulse, which the optic nerve transmits to the brain. The brain then interprets this impulse as light or some type of image.

If the retina is mechanically stimulated (physically touched or tugged), a similar electrical impulse is sent to the brain. This impulse is then interpreted as a “flicker” of light.

When the retina is tugged, torn or detached from the back of the eye, a flash or flicker of light commonly is noticed. Depending on the extent of the traction, tear or detachment, these flashes of light might be short-lived or continue indefinitely until the retina is repaired.

Flashes of light (photopsias) also may occur after a blow to the head that is capable of shaking the vitreous gel inside the eye. When this occurs, the phenomenon sometimes is called “seeing stars.”

Some people experience flashes of light that appear as jagged lines or “heat waves” in both eyes, often lasting 10 to 20 minutes. These types of flashes are usually caused by a spasm of blood vessels in the brain.

If a headache follows the visual disturbances (including flashes of light), it is called a migraine with aura. But if the flashes occur without a subsequent headache, this is called an ocular migraine.

Photopsia also can be a symptom of digitalis toxicity, which can occur particularly in older people who take digitalis or related drugs for heart problems.

Other conditions associated with eye floaters and flashes

When a PVD is accompanied by bleeding inside the eye (vitreous hemorrhage), it means the traction that occurred may have torn a small blood vessel in the retina. A vitreous hemorrhage increases the possibility of a retinal tear or detachment.

Traction exerted on the retina during a PVD also can lead to development of conditions such as macular holes or puckers.

Vitreous detachments with accompanying eye floaters also may occur in circumstances such as:

Inflammation associated with many conditions such as eye infections can cause the vitreous to liquefy, leading to a PVD.

When you are nearsighted, your eye’s elongated shape also can increase the likelihood of a PVD and accompanying traction on the retina. In fact, nearsighted people are more likely to have PVDs at a younger age.

PVDs are very common following cataract surgery and a follow-up procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy. Months or even years after cataract surgery, it’s not unusual for the thin membrane (or “capsule”) that’s left intact behind the intraocular lens (IOL) to become cloudy, affecting vision. This delayed cataract surgery complication is called posterior capsular opacification (PCO).

In the capsulotomy procedure used to treat PCO, a special type of laser focuses energy onto the cloudy capsule, vaporizing the central portion of it to create a clear path for light to reach the retina, which restores clear vision.

Manipulations of the eye during cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy procedures cause traction that can lead to posterior vitreous detachments.

How to get rid of eye floaters

Most eye floaters and spots are harmless and merely annoying. Many floaters will fade over time and become less bothersome. In most cases, no eye floater treatment is required.

However, large persistent floaters can be very troubling to some people, causing them to seek a way to get rid of eye floaters and spots drifting in their field of view.

In the past, the only treatment for eye floaters was an invasive surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. In this procedure, some or all of the vitreous is removed from the eye (along with the eye floaters within it) and is replaced with a sterile clear fluid.

But the risks of a vitrectomy can outweigh the benefits for eye floater treatment. These risks include surgically induced retinal detachment and serious eye infections. On rare occasions, vitrectomy surgery can cause new or even more floaters. For these reasons, most eye surgeons do not recommend vitrectomy to treat eye floaters and spots.

Laser treatment for eye floaters

A less invasive laser procedure called laser vitreolysis is usually a much safer alternative to vitrectomy for eye floater treatment. In this in-office procedure, a laser beam is projected into the eye through the pupil and is focused on large floaters, which breaks them apart and/or frequently vaporizes them so they disappear or become much less bothersome.

To determine if you may benefit from laser vitreolysis to get rid of eye floaters, your eye doctor will consider several factors, including:

• Your age

• How quickly your symptoms started

• What your floaters look like

• Where the floaters are located

The floaters in patients younger than age 45 tend to be located too close to the retina and can’t be safely treated with laser vitreolysis. Patients with sizable eye floaters located farther away from the retina are better suited to the procedure.

The ophthalmologist who performs laser vitreolysis also will evaluate the shape and borders of your eye floaters. Those with “soft” borders often can be treated successfully. Likewise, sizable floaters that appear suddenly as a result of a posterior vitreous detachment often can be successfully treated with the laser procedure.

What happens during laser treatment

Laser vitreolysis usually is pain-free and can be performed in your ophthalmologist’s office. Just prior to the treatment, anesthetic eye drops are applied and a special type of contact lens is placed on your eye. Then, the doctor will look through a biomicroscope (slit lamp) to precisely deliver the laser energy to the floaters being treated.

During the procedure, you might notice dark spots. These are pieces of broken up floaters. The treatment can take up to a half hour, but it’s usually significantly shorter.

At the end of the procedure, the contact lens is removed, your eye is rinsed with saline and the doctor will apply an anti-inflammatory eye drop. Additional eye drops may be prescribed for you to use at home.

Sometimes, you may see small dark spots shortly after treatment. These are small gas bubbles that tend to resolve quickly. There also is a chance that you’ll have some mild discomfort, redness or blurry vision immediately after the procedure. These effects are common and typically won’t prevent you from returning to your normal activities immediately following laser vitreolysis.

Your doctor will usually schedule follow-up for the following day. At that time, you may need a second treatment.

If you are bothered by large, persistent eye floaters, ask your eye doctor if laser vitreolysis might be a good treatment option for your situation.

Remember, a sudden appearance of a significant number of eye floaters, especially if they are accompanied by flashes of light or other visual disturbances, could indicate a detached retina or other serious problem in the eye. If you suddenly see new floaters, visit your eye doctor without delay.

Page published in March 2019

Page updated in March 2021

Why Are You Seeing Spots?

Seeing specks in your field of vision is a jarring experience. But fortunately, in many cases this doesn’t indicate a major medical issue. If you’ve never had a floating spot or flash, you should consider contacting a medical or vision professional immediately. Even if the expert rules out something serious, understanding the culprit behind your eye issue is important.

Take a look at what some of the common eye problem causes are and what you can do about them.

Blue Field Entopic Phenomenon

Did you know you may see spots when you look up at a blue sky? Looking up at the sky can cause you to experience blue field entopic phenomenon, which is an ordinary occurrence. The blood flow in your eye can absorb the blue light from the sky, causing the appearance of a moving white light. These strange spots should disappear quickly, leaving you with your normal vision.

Eye floaters are typically an age-related vision problem. Over time, the vitreous humor (the gelatinous part of the eye) can start shrinking or become more fiber-like. Nearly one-quarter of adults experience this (and floaters) as they reach their 60s, according to statistics from the Harvard medical School. By their 80s, nearly two-thirds of people experience the floater phenomena.

Eye floaters happen when cells clump together or protein fibers move in the vitreous humor and cast shadows. These shadows are perceived by your eye (and brain) as floating objects or lines. When the gel of the vitreous humor hits the retina, some people also experience flashes of light.

The shadows move around in your field of vision, floating in the direction your eye is moving. Even though they may seem strange at first, floaters are typically completely benign and won’t require treatment.

However, if you have never had a floater/flash, your vision is declining, you have pain, or you can’t see out of one area of the eye, you need to seek immediate medical attention to rule out another possible cause.

Some younger adults may experience non-age-related floaters. These are typically the result of inflammation or bleeding due to injury. Unless the inflammation/injury is a direct result of a known surgery, you should visit a medical professional immediately.

Some flashes, lines, or shapes that float through a person’s vision can be part of a migraine. Even though a severe headache is the primary symptom of a migraine, some people experience vision changes as well. Migraine sufferers who experience ocular changes can see stars, flashes, or even may temporarily lose some vision.

Flashes of light or a sensation of seeing stars is an aura. This symptom happens in 25 percent to 30 percent of migraine sufferers, according to the American Migraine Foundation. In most cases, the aura doesn’t last long. But for 20 percent of people with migraines, this can persist for more than an hour.

A retinal migraine, like an aura, can occur before, during, or without a headache. The symptoms happen in one eye and can include temporary blindness or seeing stars. In some severe cases, retinal migraines can result in permanent vision loss.

If you’re experiencing a migraine with vision changes for the first time, vision changes that are different from a previous migraine, or your symptoms seem like a retinal migraine, consult a medical professional immediately.

An NSAID medication can, in some cases, dull the pain and reduce the migraine symptoms, or doctors can prescribe calcium channel blockers, tricyclics, or antiepileptic medications to reduce the likelihood of developing a migraine. While there is no specific treatment for ocular involvement, most migraine-related eye issues go away with the migraine itself.

Do you have floaters or another vision change? Contact Calvert Ophthalmology Center for more information.

90,000 What do yellow spots in front of the eyes mean?

If yellow spots appear in front of your eyes, you are seeing objects that may appear as specks or circles. Sometimes they swim. Coloring of spots can be from blinking bright flashes to barely noticeable spots. The nature of the appearance of spots before the eyes is of great importance: they appear from time to time or you see them constantly.

Symptoms.

Most often, spots before the eyes appear as a single symptom.However, they can be combined with other symptoms:

– flashes of light
– headache
– dizziness
– eye pain

You should pay attention to symptoms that may indicate the presence of serious eye diseases:

– the appearance of blind spots (or loss of visual fields) along with yellow spots in front of the eye.
– blurred vision or double vision
– sudden increase in the spot, flashing character of the spot.

Causes of yellow spots before the eyes

– Migraine.The appearance of yellow spots in front of the eyes, combined with severe headache and nausea, indicates the presence of a migraine. A characteristic feature in this case is the complete absence of this symptom in the period between attacks.
– Destruction of the vitreous body. If the spots in front of your eyes are floating, then this is not a notion of your imagination. There are diseases of the vitreous body that can give a similar symptom. In this case, the spots can have various shapes and sizes, vary in intensity depending on the illumination.
– Posterior vitreous detachment. In the case when, together with floating spots, bright flashes appear in front of the eyes, it indicates the presence of a posterior detachment of the vitreous body. A very serious symptom. Requires attention, and visits to a specialist doctor.
– Macular edema. A condition in which fluid accumulates in the central part of the retina (macula) is called macular edema. The retinal tissue swells and thickens. The edema distorts central vision and a macula appears in front of the eye.In addition, the ability to see at close range is lost. The reasons are usually common diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, taking certain medications.

– Hemorrhage in the macula. Violation of the integrity of the vessels inside the eye leads to the appearance of hemorrhages on the retina. When a hemorrhage develops in the macula, a person sees a spot in front of the eye that is yellow, brown, or black. The cause of hemorrhage: head or eye trauma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus.Requires urgent treatment.
– Macular degeneration. Another name is age-related macular degeneration. As a rule, patients over 60 years old suffer. There is a loss of central vision due to damage to the retina in the central region. The onset of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of small spots in front of the eye and a slight decrease in vision. The disease is progressing steadily.

– Retinal burn. Exposure to intense sunlight causes damage (burns) to the retina at any age.Often this condition develops after exposure to the sun during a solar eclipse. It often develops in climbers.

– Stargardt’s disease. An inherited disorder resulting from a genetic abnormality. Onset of the disease at the age of 6 – 12 years. Initial symptoms include yellow spots in front of the eyes, impaired color vision, and decreased vision in the dark.

Treatment of yellow spots before the eyes.

Treatment of yellow spots before the eyes depends mainly on the cause that led to the appearance of this symptom.In the case of macular edema, it is imperative to identify and treat the underlying disease (diabetes mellitus or hypertension). In case of retinal hemorrhages, blood-absorbing medications are prescribed.

In case of macular degeneration, treatment is mainly conservative, aimed at improving blood circulation and slowing down the processes of retinal damage. Only a specialist doctor will help to identify the cause of the appearance of yellow spots in front of the eyes and prescribe a competent treatment.

It is important to remember that the main condition for successful treatment is early diagnosis of the disease.If a patient is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, it is very important to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist!

Come to the diagnosis at the address: Almaty, Tole bi street, 95a (corner of Baitursynov street).

90,000 Yellow spots before the eyes, causes, symptoms, treatment.

If yellow spots appear in front of your eyes, you are seeing objects that may appear as specks or circles. Sometimes they swim. Coloring of spots can be from blinking bright flashes to barely noticeable spots. The nature of the appearance of spots before the eyes is of great importance: they appear from time to time or you see them constantly.

Symptoms.

Most often, spots before the eyes appear as a single symptom. However, they can be combined with other symptoms:

• flashes of light
• headache
• dizziness
• pain in the eye

You should pay attention to symptoms that may indicate the presence of serious eye diseases:

• the appearance of blind spots ( or loss of visual fields) along with yellow spots in front of the eye.
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Sudden increase in the spot, flashing in the nature of the spot.

Causes of yellow spots before the eyes

• Migraine.
  The appearance of yellow spots before the eyes, combined with severe headache and nausea, indicates the presence of a migraine. A characteristic feature in this case is the complete absence of this symptom in the period between attacks.

• Destruction of the vitreous body.
  If spots in front of your eyes are floating, then this is not an invention of your imagination.There are diseases of the vitreous body that can give a similar symptom. In this case, the spots can have various shapes and sizes, vary in intensity depending on the illumination.

• Posterior vitreous detachment.
  In the case when, together with floating spots, bright flashes appear in front of the eyes, it indicates the presence of posterior detachment of the vitreous body. A very serious symptom. Requires attention, and visits to a specialist doctor.

• Macular edema.
  A condition in which fluid accumulates in the central part of the retina (macula) is called macular edema. The retinal tissue swells and thickens. The edema distorts central vision and a macula appears in front of the eye. In addition, the ability to see at close range is lost. The reasons are usually common diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, taking certain medications.

• Hemorrhage in the macula.
  Violation of the integrity of the vessels inside the eye leads to the appearance of hemorrhages on the retina.When a hemorrhage develops in the macula, a person sees a spot in front of the eye that is yellow, brown, or black. The cause of hemorrhage: head or eye trauma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus. Requires urgent treatment.

• Macular degeneration.
  Another name is age-related macular degeneration. As a rule, patients over 60 years old suffer. There is a loss of central vision due to damage to the retina in the central region. The onset of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of small spots in front of the eye and a slight decrease in vision.The disease is progressing steadily.

• Retinal burn.
  Exposure to intense sunlight causes damage (burns) to the retina at any age. Often this condition develops after exposure to the sun during a solar eclipse. It often develops in climbers.

• Stargardt’s disease.
  Hereditary disease resulting from a genetic abnormality. Onset of the disease at the age of 6 – 12 years. Initial symptoms include yellow spots in front of the eyes, impaired color vision, and decreased vision in the dark.

Treatment of yellow spots before the eyes.

Treatment for yellow spots in front of the eyes depends mainly on the cause that led to the appearance of this symptom. In the case of macular edema, it is imperative to identify and treat the underlying disease (diabetes mellitus or hypertension). In case of retinal hemorrhages, blood-absorbing medications are prescribed.

In case of macular degeneration, treatment is mainly conservative, aimed at improving blood circulation and slowing down the processes of retinal damage.
Only a specialist doctor will help to identify the cause of the appearance of yellow spots in front of the eyes and prescribe a competent treatment.

Flies, stars and spots before eyes

“Doctor, I have flies in front of my eyes!” Currently, complaints of this kind remain the most common at an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

In an extensive clinical study conducted by a British doctor, among the interviewed patients of ophthalmology offices, about 80% of people experience the inconvenience associated with this phenomenon.With severe discomfort, this can cause depression and a significant decrease in the quality of life.

So why do they appear, how is it dangerous and, most importantly, how to treat it?

The cause in the vitreous humor (ST) is a gel-like substance that fills 2/3 of the entire volume inside the eye, and is incapable of regeneration. When it is lost, the space is replaced by intraocular fluid. The vitreous body maintains the constant shape of the eye and participates in the refraction of incoming light onto the light-perceiving membrane of the eye – the retina.According to the composition of ST, 98% is water, 2% are glycosaminoglycans, collagen proteins and other structural substances. The space between the fibers is filled with hyaluronic acid molecules, which do not allow collagen to thicken, thanks to which the vitreous body retains its transparency.

Risk factors are high myopia, metabolic disorders of the body (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, a history of head and eye trauma, ophthalmic surgery, physical exhaustion, etc.

Types of turbidity.

1) Idiopathic floating opacities are the primary opacities that have arisen. Under the influence of various factors, the structure of hyaluronic acid changes, which leads to its decrease. Nothing separates the collagen fibers, they connect with each other and, thickening, lose their transparency. The most common cause is age-related changes – usually 40-60 years old. Opacities become especially noticeable against a bright background, periodically falling into the field of view and moving in accordance with eye movements.May appear in both eyes, but not synchronously. Small-sized floating opacities of the vitreous body are not a pathology, but large spots, falling into the field of view, cast a shadow on the retina and cause significant visual discomfort.

2) Secondary opacities are not associated with changes in the structure of the vitreous body. These are always opaque molecules from the outside.

• Retinal detachment or rupture – can cause the appearance of similar complaints – floating flies, spots in front of the eyes.The sensation of curtains, flashes and lightning, and decreased visual acuity are additional symptoms. This pathology is very serious, it can threaten with complete and irreversible loss of vision. Any delay is dangerous! Therefore, if a complex of symptoms occurs, an emergency appeal to an ophthalmologist is necessary.

• Vitreous hemorrhage – hemophthalmos. It occurs spontaneously, against the background of already existing changes in the fundus due to diabetes mellitus or arterial hypertension.Also, the cause of 18% of all hemorrhages is a blunt trauma to the eye or a penetrating wound.

When the retinal vessels rupture, blood elements penetrate into the eye cavity. The vitreous body loses its transparency within a few minutes. Depending on the intensity of bleeding, vision loss can be partial or complete. If the hemorrhage is mild, then this is manifested in a slight blurred vision. In the future, the blood coagulates and a strand can form from the retina into the vitreous humor.This cord, exerting a strong pulling effect, in the future can cause rupture or retinal detachment. Therefore, early treatment of hemophthalmos will ensure rapid resorption of blood clots and prevent further complications.

• Inflammation of the vitreous body. Caused by an infection such as toxoplasma or cytomegalovirus infection. Due to the presence of inflammatory elements in the vitreous body, dense cords appear, which will reduce visual acuity.The inflammatory process covers not only the transparent structure, but also neighboring areas (retina, choroid), therefore, in addition to the “flies” in front of the eyes, patients often feel pain, loss of entire areas of the visual field.

• Ocular migraine. At the same time, the patient suffers from bouts of visual impairment, the process can be accompanied by a headache, it can proceed without it. With this pathology, there is no organic damage to the eyes. The risk group is young patients, mainly women with high levels of stress and physical exertion.Symptoms from the organs of vision: “flies” in front of the eyes, lightning, flashes of light, flickering points. Usually, after such symptoms, a recovery period begins within a few hours and vision returns.

Diagnostics.

When to see a doctor?

If the number of opacities increases, other visual symptoms are noted – lightning and flashes before the eyes, loss of lateral vision, eye pain – these are all signs of serious pathology.

If there is already a history of injuries or previous eye surgeries, the appearance of turbidity may indicate a worsening of the condition and the presence of a complication.

In all these cases, an examination by an ophthalmologist is required!

At the reception.

Reception begins with taking anamnesis: the doctor will specify the time of onset of symptoms, the speed of their development, the degree of discomfort, whether there were any injuries or surgeries before.It is necessary to tell the doctor about the chronic diseases present. Test results can also help find the cause of the cloudiness.

Objective examination.

It is necessary to conduct a complete examination of the patient’s organ of vision. For this, visual acuity is checked according to special tables, visual fields are examined, and the movement of the eyeballs is assessed. With the help of a special microscope, an external examination of the eyes is carried out, and intraocular pressure is also measured.The most important part of the examination is the examination of the fundus under conditions of the dilated pupil. For this, a remedy is buried, the effect of which lasts for 3-4 hours after the examination. With the help of special lenses, the condition of the vitreous body and retina is examined.

Additional research methods necessary to clarify the diagnosis are usually prescribed by the doctor after the examination, based on the data obtained. For example, in case of inflammation, a microbiological examination may be required, in case of hemophthalmos or detachment, ultrasound eyes are prescribed.With ocular migraine, consultation with a neurologist is necessary.

Treatment.

Treatment of age-related changes in the vitreous body does not require conservative intervention. Typically, patients become accustomed to small floaters and do not cause significant discomfort. Treatment of secondary opacities is based on the exclusion of the pathological conditions that caused these symptoms.

If treatment is still required, the arsenal of modern doctors includes methods of both conservative and surgical treatment.

1) Conservative treatment

Pharmacological vitriolysis is the liquefaction and dissolution of dense opacities with the help of special preparations. The method is promising, but poorly studied, its application is not so widespread.

2) Surgical treatment

• AG – laser vitreolysis. Treatment of opacities in the vitreous body has become possible only recently, thanks to the improvement of the technical features of laser systems.With laser exposure, there is a point removal of cloudiness. Due to the small size of the opacity and location in the posterior region, the accuracy and experience of the surgeon is important in this method. Therefore, this method is associated with the risk of complications and it is not recommended to resort to it in case of small sizes of opacities. The literature describes cases of laser treatment with extensive hemorrhages. At the same time, the efficiency reached 70%, which is a high result.

• Vitrectomy.The most radical method of treatment. It consists in removing the vitreous body with opacities. In this case, the volume of the removed substance is completely filled with a transparent saline solution. This method allows you to achieve the highest clinical results. The disadvantage of the method is invasiveness (i.e., the need to perform eye punctures), which increases the risk of postoperative complications, the most common of which are lens opacity, retinal detachment and intraocular inflammation.Vitrectomy is considered the last recommended method when opacities in the vitreous humor significantly reduce visual acuity.

Numerous studies and articles state that more than 70% of patients with floaters recognize this as a nuisance rather than a condition requiring treatment. Over time, the flies that appear due to age-related changes cease to be noticeable.

If these symptoms occur, it is necessary to exclude dangerous conditions and in the future a decision can be made based on the effect of opacities on the patient’s quality of life.

Take care of your eyes and be healthy!

90,000 reasons, diagnosis and treatment at the GKDB

Causes of occurrence

The front part of our eye – the sclera – is white when healthy. Its hue can range from whitish blue to whitish pink, but it should be uniform. A noticeable change in the shade of the sclera and the appearance of yellow spots on it indicate the development of pathology.Moreover, this can be both a violation of the eye itself, and a systemic disease of the body.

If yellow spots appear on the white of the eye, we advise you to go to an ophthalmological clinic.

Often, in addition to yellow spots on the eyes , the Patient also notices other symptoms :

• Itching and pain in the eye area
• Visual impairment
• Increased sensitivity to bright light
• Discharge from the eyes.

Yellow spots can signal a variety of eye conditions. As a rule, these diseases are not too dangerous and cannot lead to complete loss of vision, but you should definitely not ignore their symptoms. Among the most common causes are the following :

• Conjunctival cyst – formation with fluid inside, which may have a yellowish tint and appear as a small spot on the white of the eye
• Pterygium is an eye disease in which conjunctival tissue begins to grow from the nasal corner of the eye to the center of the cornea.At the same time, the yellow spot on the squirrel has a triangular shape and sometimes changes color to scarlet or pink
• Pinguecula is a yellow spot, which is a sign of aging of the conjunctiva or a lack of vitamin A. Most often, pinguecula is localized on the inner side of the eye near the bridge of the nose, so Patients do not immediately notice it
• Nevus is a kind of “mole” on a protein that signals serious eye pathologies
• Horner-Trantas stains are stains that result from an allergic reaction.They look like grains and are localized mainly around the cornea. The reason for the appearance of this type of spots is keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) or allergic conjunctivitis (a reaction from the conjunctiva of an allergic nature).

Diseases associated with the appearance of yellow spots on the white of the eye

If the cause of the appearance of spots is a general disease of the body, then nausea, chills, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, etc., may be added to the listed symptoms.etc.

Yellow spots may be evidence of the following disorders of the body a:

• Jaundice – occurs when bilirubin metabolism is impaired (bile pigment, one of the most important components of bile)
• Hepatitis (a viral disease caused by a pathogen with pronounced hepatotropic properties
• Cirrhosis of the liver (a pathological condition of the liver, which is a consequence of impaired blood circulation in the hepatic vascular system and dysfunction of the bile ducts)
• Anemia or anemia (a pathological condition characterized by a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin and, in the overwhelming majority of cases, the number of erythrocytes per unit of blood volume
• Liver cancer
• Stones in the gallbladder are formed in the body under the influence of a number of unfavorable factors, can acquire various shapes, structures, sizes.

Diagnosis and treatment of yellow spots on the white of the eye

It is possible to eliminate yellow spots on the white of the eye only after identifying the root cause of their appearance and the prescribed correct treatment on time. In each case, it will be individual.

For example, pinguecula and pterygium are initially treated with drops and gels that moisturize the conjunctiva, or with anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgical intervention is used only in cases where long-term therapy has not helped.Drug therapy is also used to treat Horner-Trantas spots.

But advanced cases of conjunctival cysts are treated only surgically. Modern technologies make it possible to do this with a laser painlessly for the Patient.

Doctors of the Eye Clinic of Dr. Belikova will conduct a comprehensive examination of the organs of vision and, if necessary, will select the most effective treatment or give recommendations for visiting a specialized specialist.

Floating opacities – “flies” in the eyes

The appearance of floating dots (“flies”) or cloudy eyes for the first time can confuse and even alert.

How do you know if this is a cause for concern? Let’s discuss it!

While some floaters are normal variants, some of them can be a sign of serious problems that need to be discussed with your optician.

What are floaters and why do they appear in the eye?

Floating opacities appear as spots that slowly move into the field of view.Floating haze often looks like:

• small dark spots or particles;
• threads, wires;

90,061 fragments of the web.

Floating opacities in the eyes are not an optical illusion. These are small foreign bodies in the vitreous, a gel-like, jelly-like substance that gives the eye the correct shape. Sometimes floating opacities create a shadow on the retina as it moves. This is exactly what you see.

What is the cause of the cloudiness?

In most cases, the cause of floating opacities is age-related changes in the vitreous body.As the eyes age, the vitreous body deteriorates: it becomes more fluid, begins to bend and shifts inside the eyeball, and sometimes the gel-like substance thickens. The shadows of these viscous blobs are what you see.

Floating opacities also occur when the vitreous is detached from the retina. Irritation of the retina during this process often creates “flashes” in the eyes. At the time of separation of the vitreous from the head of the optic nerve, floating opacity in the form of a ring may occur.

Sometimes this separation “pulls” part of the retina behind it. When the retina is detached, blood seeps into the vitreous body, which looks like a scattering of small dots and requires immediate specialist intervention.

Bleeding or inflammation of the eye, retinal tears, abnormalities of the blood vessels and other disorders can lead to the appearance of floating opacities in the vitreous humor. Floating opacities can also be small particles of proteins or other substances trapped in the forming eye before birth.

When to contact a specialist

Floating spots and “flashes” are an urgent matter that needs to be addressed to a specialist, especially if they appear suddenly. They often indicate retinal detachment that can lead to blindness.

During regular check-ups, you should inform your optometrist of any vision changes or eye problems, be it floating flies or otherwise. Floating opacities are sometimes only visible during an ophthalmologic examination, especially if they are located close to the retina.

Treatment of floating opacities

Most floaters do not require treatment. Many people stop noticing spots or “flies” over time, but at first they cause concern.

If the floaters are very large or there are a lot of them, and this impairs vision, your specialist may recommend surgery or laser therapy to remove them.

Laser therapy for floating opacities

During laser therapy, the specialist directs a laser beam at the clot in the vitreous body to destroy it, reduce it and make it less visible.

The use of laser therapy for floaters is still experimental and not widely used. While some people experience improvement after laser therapy, others have little or no improvement.

Surgical treatment of floating opacities

Vitrectomy is an operation in which the doctor removes the vitreous through small incisions, replacing it with a special solution to maintain the shape of the eye.Your body will naturally replenish the vitreous space and gradually replace this solution. With the help of vitrectomy, it is not always possible to completely remove floating opacities. After this, the formation of new floating spots is possible, especially if bleeding or retinal rupture occurs during surgery.

While most floaters are harmless, their sudden onset or flares can be a warning. See a specialist if you have sudden changes in your eyes.Regular examinations are also important so that the optician can notice the changes and can help diagnose floaters and other abnormalities in your eyes.

The information in this article is not medical advice and does not replace the prescription of a qualified healthcare professional. If you have any questions, please contact a specialist at the optics salon.

Macular degeneration of the retina of the eye ›Diseases› DoctorPiter.ru

Macular degeneration of the retina (degeneration or degeneration of the optic spot) is a disease that leads to partial or complete loss of vision due to age-related sclerotic changes in the macula.At the same time, peripheral vision does not suffer.

Signs

There are two types of macular degeneration – dry and wet. Both of them do not appear immediately. When dry macular degeneration manifests itself, it is not immediately noticed, since very often macular degeneration develops first in one eye, and this does not greatly affect the overall visual acuity at the initial stages. At first, it becomes difficult to read and do small work. The person feels the need for brighter light than before to do the same job.

Wet dystrophy sufferers suddenly notice that straight lines seem to be wavy, and their vision has fallen sharply. People with wet macular degeneration often complain of a dark spot in the middle of the visual field.

Both forms are characterized by a low-contrast image, a veil in front of the eyes and a violation of color perception. People with this disease do not experience pain. Complete blindness with macular degeneration is rare.

Description

Macular degeneration is a disease of the retina of the eye.At the same time, its central part – the yellow spot – the place on which the light flux is focused, suffers. It is here that the cells that provide visual acuity and color perception are located – cones and rods. Macula is Latin for “spot,” and dystrophy is a malnutrition. Macular macula in humans is responsible for central visual acuity.

Macular degeneration usually affects both eyes, but it does not occur simultaneously. In most people, the condition of one eye deteriorates first, then the other.

The main risk factors for macular degeneration are age and heredity. Macular degeneration is a disease of the elderly and is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 50. However, there is evidence that recently this disease has “rejuvenated”. Scientists believe that ultraviolet light is to blame for this, the source of which can be sunlight, fluorescent lamps, xenon lamps, and even a computer screen. Heredity is also of great importance. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with this disease, it is worth telling the children and grandchildren about it.Subsequently, this will help them identify the disease at an early stage.

Risk factors for macular degeneration can also be:

Macular degeneration develops due to malnutrition of macular cells, which, in turn, is disrupted due to impaired blood circulation in the vessels of the retina, their atherosclerosis. It is because of this that the cones, the light-sensitive cells, are destroyed.

Dry macular degeneration is more common, it is about 90% of all cases of this disease. At the same time, yellowish plaque (drusen) accumulates in the cells of the macula, which interferes with the proper functioning of photoreceptors.

Wet macular degeneration occurs in only 10% of cases, but it is much more dangerous than dry. Wet macular degeneration is the cause of 90% of blindness in patients with macular degeneration. In this form of the disease, new blood vessels form behind the retina. And they grow in the direction of the macula. The walls of the vessels are very thin, so blood seeps through them into the macula. In this case, photoreceptors are destroyed and central vision deteriorates sharply.

Wet macular degeneration progresses faster than dry macular degeneration.Very often it develops in those who already have dry macular degeneration.

Diagnostics

First, the doctor must examine the patient, listen to his complaints, they are quite typical for this disease. On their basis, the doctor can assume that the patient has macular degeneration. To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out ophthalmoscopy, fluorescent angiography (examination of retinal vessels) and also check for distortions using the Amsler grating.

You can make the grille yourself at home and test your eyesight.To do this, you need a 10×10 cm sheet with a black dot in the middle. Attach this sheet to your wall, refrigerator door, or any other location that is convenient for you. If you constantly wear glasses, put them on after wiping the glasses well. Close one eye, focus with the other eye on a point and slowly approach. You need to stop about 15 cm from the sheet. If you see curved lines or the presence of dark spots on the lattice, this is a signal that you need to urgently contact an ophthalmologist.But even if the lattice lines are straight and there are no spots, this does not mean that you are guaranteed not to have this disease. To say for sure whether there is macular degeneration or not, only a doctor can give.

Treatment

Macular degeneration can be treated conservatively or promptly. Conservative treatment is used in many clinics. For this, antioxidants, immunomodulators, drugs that strengthen the walls of blood vessels, vitamins A, E and group B are used. But such treatment is ineffective. The only drugs that have already shown good results in the fight against this disease are inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor.It is injected into the eye. This drug reduces swelling and prevents further deterioration of vision.

For dry macular degeneration, low-intensity laser therapy is used, while the laser removes drusen. However, photoreceptors are not restored in this case.

For wet macular degeneration, laser coagulation is used. With its help, bleeding from newly formed vessels is prevented. It also stops visual impairment.

There is also a method for the treatment of wet macular degeneration, in which the drug is activated by a laser.The medicine is administered intravenously, through the circulatory system, it spreads throughout the body. And then the doctor shines a laser into the eye. This short-term exposure does not damage the cells of the eye, but activates the drug, from which a highly active component is released that damages newly formed unhealthy cells.

With this treatment, the loss of vision can be stopped, but it cannot be returned.

Lifestyle

Those suffering from macular degeneration, even in the last stages of the disease, orient themselves normally in space, since their peripheral vision does not suffer.However, they may have difficulty in doing small work or reading. To make life easier, they need

• Direct light directly onto a book or work, this will increase the contrast of the text or image;
• use halogen lamps, they give more even light;
• If it is difficult for a person to read, audiobooks can be used.

Prevention

Complete cure of macular degeneration is impossible, you can only prevent this disease.

• If you smoke, you need to quit. Smoking has a detrimental effect on blood vessels, including the vessels of the eyes.
• Wear sunglasses when in the sun. Don’t forget the hat, too.
• Eat healthy, eat more vegetables and fruits. Especially doctors recommend spinach and kale.
• Take vitamins as needed. However, remember that too much vitamins are also bad. Hypervitaminosis may develop.
• Go in for sports.This strengthens the entire body, including blood vessels.
• Check your eyesight regularly, including yourself using the Amsler grating. At the first sign of macular degeneration, see your doctor immediately. It is not yet possible to cure this disease, but it is possible to stop its development, and it is better to do this at the initial stage.

© Dr. Peter

90,000 Floating bodies: Síntomas y tratamientos

What are floating bodies?

Floating bodies or flying flies are small spots that are visible to many people within the visible area while moving, especially when looking at a uniform background such as a wall or sky.

These are tiny particles of a jelly-like substance that form in a clear liquid in the vitreous humor and fill the inside of the eye.

Although they appear to move in front of the eye, they are actually floating in the vitreous humor and the eye perceives the shadows that the floating bodies project onto the retina. As a rule, they are insignificant and are considered a natural phenomenon with age.

Occasionally, the vitreous humor can detach from the retina, causing rupture and even bleeding in the eye.As a result, new floating flies may appear.

If left untreated, the tear can lead to retinal detachment, a condition that must be treated with urgent surgery.

Why do they appear?

As people age, the vitreous gel material gradually shrinks and liquefies, forming clots inside the eye that can cause retinal detachment.

This posterior vitreous detachment is most common in humans,

• Nearsighted,
• Operated for cataracts,
• Underwent laser eye surgery,
• Suffering from inflammation inside the eye.